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My eleventh grade AP American history teacher was hands down one of the coolest teachers I ever had. He was a wildly smart guy, eccentric in the best possible way. He used to tell us stories about his time serving in the Vietnam war and how much of his time there was spent teaching Vietnamese children. …

I’ve mentioned it in passing a couple of months ago, but over the holidays I decided to start doing things a little differently over on Instagram. When Instagram first became I thing, I primarily used it on more of a personal level and truthfully, I’ve always been way more of a Pinterest junkie over everything else. Then it became very obvious that people are completely Instagram-crazed and I realized that I had kind of missed the boat and that maybe …

Hi, friends! I am coming to you live this morning from amongst a sea of pillows in bed where if I weren’t a rational adult, I would be convinced I were dying. I don’t believe I’ve ever gone this long without posting (at least not with explanation) and all I can really say is that this week is proving to be a doozy. I had some unexpected family issues to tend to late in the week and since then I’ve …

Before we make our way back to our regularly scheduled programming this week, I want to take the first step toward making good on one of my goals for 2015. For those of you who follow me on Facebook, you know I post there regularly and check in several times a day to answer your questions and chit chat with you. This year, I want to do so much more of that! I spent a long time thinking about this …

This morning we woke up, made coffee and while B made breakfast for us, I finished up a bit of last minute wrapping. We have some things we want to tackle around the house before we have family over tomorrow in the evening for cocktails, cocoa and hors d’oeuvres, but mostly we are trying to take today to settle into the Christmas spirit. We’re meeting my father and sister out for one of those famed Tom and Jerrys we love so …

I’m popping in this evening to wish you all the very happiest of Thanksgiving celebrations tomorrow! For those of you not here in the States, I’m absolutely wishing you a beautiful day, too. B has been keeping me company in the kitchen this evening as I work on prepping pies for tomorrow’s feast. We’ll be making the rounds visiting family in the morning before making our way to my mom’s for dinner in the afternoon. Tomorrow evening we’re getting together …

Ok, friends. Get ready, because it’s almost time for 24 Merry Days! (Insert me dancing a jig here. It happens. A lot.) Honestly, this is one of my favorite posts to write each year. Long time readers will know that this year marks the third annual 24 Merry Days extravaganza. In a nutshell, it’s the ultimate Christmas countdown calendar that rolls out over 24 days, features 24 bloggers and showcases 24 absolutely mind-blowing giveaways. This year, 24 Merry Days is back …

I know I’m not alone in remembering exactly where I was on this day, September 11th, thirteen years ago. I was eighteen years old. Barely out of high school. I was trying on adulthood for the very first time. And suddenly, every bit of innocence I may have had left was shattered. Every year it continues to be really important to me to take a few moments to remember that day, remember all it meant to those of us here …

[Photo by Jade + Matthew Take Pictures for The Sweetest Occasion. See more here!]

As the weather is warming up and B and I are looking forward to all things summery (camping, s’mores, bonfires, parties, boating, and all the good stuff), I’m also hard at working planning loads of fun and pretty things to share here on The Sweetest Occasion throughout the summer season. Recipes, cocktails, DIYs, party inspiration, travel inspiration and basically all of my favorite things. With that in mind, today …

This post is a tale about a girl and her itch to find more room to store her craft supplies and styling props. Heading into 2014, I couldn’t stop thinking about finding a dedicated studio space to call home. Last fall, I mentioned that I was planning to move into a storefront office that my cousin (and ultimate partner in crime) had scouted out as the headquarters for her new business, which remained my intention up until the holidays. At that …

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Yep. I promised you this was going to be huge, guys. This morning when chatting about my love for decorating with honeycomb balls? When I just so happened to mention the awesome selection of party decorations sponsor Luna Bazaar rocks out? That was meant as a big fat hint. As in, *hint hint* start making your …

I know this is definitely one of those weeks where we’re all feeling a bit introspective and reflective, and I have to admit – I kind of love that about January every year! I find it really refreshing to look back on the year that was while setting a few intentions for the year to come. I’m not huge on resolutions per se, but I do love planning for the year and making goals. In this moment I feel more …